Color Coded Ammunition System

ABSTRACT

A color coded ammunition system includes a plurality of ballistic rounds, each having a bullet mass, a casing, a color identifier, and a numerical identifier. For each of the plurality of ballistic rounds, the bullet mass is terminally mounted into the casing with the color identifier being incorporated into the bullet mass and the numerical identifier being visibly disposed about the casing. The color identifier may be coated onto the bullet mass or impregnated into the bullet mass. The numerical identifier corresponds to the color identifier for each of the plurality of rounds, such that the firing order of the plurality of ballistic rounds can be determined. Furthermore, the numerical identifier can be utilized to uniquely match each of the plurality of ballistic rounds to an individual or institution.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/241,898 filed on Oct. 15, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to ammunition. More specifically, the present invention is a color coded ammunition system, utilizing ballistic rounds with corresponding numerical identifiers and colors, to provide transparent forensic investigations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Millions of man hours, and hourly wages, account for a bulk of the litigation and forensics costs in a police shooting using current practices of gathering and analyzing evidence. The scene of the crime is mapped, as investigators try to figure out who shot first, where shots were fired from, the angle of the shots, etc. Even after all is said and done investigators may be unable to determine the order of impact and prosecutors must rely on the evidence available and eyewitness accounts. While some law enforcement agencies have begun to adopt the use of body cameras to provide a firsthand account, such cameras can be turned off, the view obstructed, angled improperly, etc.

Additionally, such equipment is often expensive, therefore becoming a financial burden on the law enforcement agency.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a color coded ammunition system that can be utilized to identify the order in which a plurality of ballistic rounds is fired. Each of the plurality of ballistic rounds has a bullet mass, a casing, a color identifier, and a numerical identifier. The bullet mass is mounted into the casing, wherein the color identifier is incorporated into the bullet mass, while the numerical identifier is visibly disposed on the casing. The numerical identifier corresponds to the color identifier, such that when the plurality of ballistic rounds is loaded into the firearm in a sequential order, the order in which the bullet mass of each of the plurality of ballistic rounds was fired can be readily determined. By allowing an investigator to simply observe the color identifier and match the color identifier to the numerical identifier, the present invention saves insurmountable time and thus reduces forensics costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a first round from the plurality of ballistic rounds, wherein the numerical identifier corresponds to the color identifier.

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting the short system, wherein the numerical identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is sequential, and the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is unique.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a first round from the plurality of ballistic rounds, wherein the numerical identifier comprises a batch identifier and a color-match identifier.

FIG. 4 is diagram depicting the long system, wherein the color-match identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is sequential, and the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is unique.

FIG. 5 is diagram depicting the long system, wherein the color-match identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is identical, and the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is identical.

FIG. 6 is a diagram depicting one of the plurality of ballistic rounds, wherein the color identifier is incorporated into a terminal section of the casing.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a color coded ammunition system for providing transparent forensic investigations and regulating the distribution and tracking of ammunition. The present invention provides a plurality of ballistic rounds 10; in reference to FIG. 1-2, each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 comprising a bullet mass 20, a casing 30, a color identifier 40, and a numerical identifier 50. The present invention can be implemented with any type of ammunition, wherein the bullet mass 20 and the casing 30 are configured into the desired type of ballistic round, in the desired caliber.

Per traditional ammunition, the bullet mass 20 is mounted into the casing 30, wherein a propellant is utilized to fire the bullet mass 20 from the casing 30. The bullet mass 20 may be a single projectile (e.g. full metal jacket, hollow point, open tip, ballistic tip, or soft point rounds) or multiple projectiles (e.g. bird shot or buck shot rounds). In reference to FIG. 2, for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10, the color identifier 40 is incorporated into the bullet mass 20, while the numerical identifier 50 is visually disposed about the casing 30. Furthermore, the numerical identifier 50 corresponds to the color identifier 40 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10, allowing the bullet mass 20 to be matched with the casing 30 pursuant to each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 being fired.

The color identifier 40 is either a single color or a set of colors, arranged in any type of pattern about or throughout the bullet mass 20 (e.g. a solid coloring, stripes, a logo). In one embodiment of the present invention, the color identifier 40 is coated onto the bullet mass 20 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10. In another embodiment of the present invention, the color identifier 40 is impregnated into the bullet mass 20 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10. Any other means may be utilized to incorporate the color identifier 40 with the bullet mass 20 in other embodiments, so long as the color identifier 40 is visibly discernable pursuant to the ballistic round being fired.

The color identifier 40 can be formed using a colored dye, a colored fiber, a combination thereof, or any other suitable means that allows the color identifier 40 to be visually disposed about the bullet mass 20. However, the color identifier 40 is ideally produced from non-toxic materials to prevent inflicting chemical harm to the target. In some embodiments of the present invention, the color identifier 40 may be chemically activated, such that the color identifier 40 is only visible under certain parameters. For example, the color identifier 40 may be activated when in contact with blood or when held under ultra violet light.

The numerical identifier 50 can be printed onto the casing 30, engraved into the casing 30, or otherwise integrated into the casing 30 such that the numerical identifier 50 is externally visible. The numerical identifier 50 is linked to the color identifier 40 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10, such that for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10, the bullet mass 20 can readily be matched with the casing 30 pursuant to the ballistic round being fired. A short system or a long system can be implemented using the numerical identifier 50, wherein the short system or the long system is selected depending on the application of the present invention.

The short system is intended to regulate the sequence in which ammunition is discharged from a firearm. Such an application is intended for law enforcement, military, or similar institutions requiring the regulation of ammunition or the forensic benefits of such a system. In reference to FIG. 2, under the short system, the numerical identifier 50 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 is sequential and the color identifier 40 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 is unique. In this way, the bullet mass 20 is uniquely associated with the casing 30 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10. For example, the numerical identifier 50 being 1 is matched with the color blue, the numerical identifier 50 being 2 is matched with the color identifier 40 being red, the numerical identifier 50 being 3 is matched with the color identifier 40 being green, etc.

For the short system, the color identifier 40 for a first round from the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 is a first coloring, the color identifier 40 for a second round from the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 is a second coloring, the color identifier 40 for a third round from the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 is a third coloring, and so on. Using a sequential order beginning with 1 and increasing by an integer of 1, the numerical identifier 50 for the first round is 1, the numerical identifier 50 for the second round is 2, the numerical identifier 50 for the third round is 3, and so on. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, it is possible for the numerical identifier 50 of each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 to be represented as a sequential character or symbol other than a number; for example a letter, wherein the numerical identifier 50 for the first round is A, the numerical identifier 50 for the second round is B, the numerical identifier 50 for the third round is C, and so on. Using the short system, the numerical identifier 50 of each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 indicates the order in which each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 is to be loaded into a clip or chamber. For example, for a clip having 8 ballistic rounds, the numerical identifier 50 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 would range from #1-8, with the plurality of ballistic rounds being loaded in reverse numerical order; the ballistic round with the numerical identifier 50 #8 being loaded first, the ballistic round with the numerical identifier 50 #7 being loaded second, the ballistic round with the numerical identifier 50 #6 being loaded third, etc. This provides an inherent forensic benefit, as it provides a consistent order in which ballistic rounds are loaded, and thus the order in which the target was struck can be determined by simply observing the color identifier 40 of each of the ballistic rounds fired and matching the color identifier 40 to the numerical identifier 50.

The long system can be adapted for different applications. In reference to FIG. 3-4, in one embodiment, the long system is implemented as an extension to the short system, wherein the numerical identifier 50 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 includes a batch identifier 70 and a color-match identifier 60, and the color identifier 40 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 is unique. In reference to FIG. 4, the color-match identifier 60 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 is sequential and, as described in the short system, used for the purpose of uniquely linking the casing 30 to the bullet mass 20 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10. While the color-match identifier 60 dictates the order in which to load the plurality of ballistic rounds 10, the batch identifier 70 links the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 to a single individual or institution.

The batch identifier 70 can include a manufacture date, a manufacturer code, a specific state department number, a specific agency number, a personal identification number, any other unique identifier specifically linked to an individual or institution, any other unique identifier linked to the origin or manufacture of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10, or any other identifiable information desired. Together, the batch identifier 70 and the color-match identifier 60 can be used to determine both the order in which a target was struck and the origin of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 (i.e. from which individual's firearm the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 were fired). For example, the color identifier 40 may be distributed in a different pattern for each officer in a police department, such that together the color identifier 40 and the batch identifier 70 indicate a specific officer, while the color identifier 40 and the color-match identifier 60 indicate the order for loading the plurality of ballistic rounds 10.

In reference to FIG. 5, another embodiment of the long system adapts the present invention for civilian use, wherein the color identifier 40 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 is identical. As such, the color-match identifier 60 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 is also identical. The batch identifier 70 can include a manufacture date, a manufacturer code, a batch number, any other unique identifier linked to the origin or manufacture of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10, or any other identifiable information desired. When sold, the batch identifier 70 and the color-match identifier 60 are linked to a single registered individual. In this way, the bullet mass 20 from each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10 can be traced to the single registered individual by matching the color identifier 40 to the color-match identifier 60.

In reference to FIG. 6, in some embodiments of the present invention, the color identifier 40 may also be incorporated into the casing 30. The color identifier 40 is incorporated into the casing 30 in the same manner that the color identifier 40 is incorporated into the bullet mass 20. Preferably, the color identifier 40 is incorporated into a terminal section of the casing 30 for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds 10; the terminal section being positioned adjacent to the bullet mass 20. However, it is also possible for the color identifier 40 to be incorporated into other sections of the casing 30 in alternative embodiments.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A color coded ammunition system comprises: a plurality of ballistic rounds; each of the plurality of ballistic rounds comprising a bullet mass, a casing, a color identifier, and a numerical identifier; the bullet mass being terminally mounted into the casing for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; the color identifier being incorporated into the bullet mass for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; the numerical identifier being visually disposed about the casing for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; and the numerical identifier corresponding to the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds.
 2. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is identical.
 3. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is unique.
 4. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the numerical identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is sequential.
 5. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the numerical identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds includes a batch identifier and a color-match identifier.
 6. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the color identifier is coated onto the bullet mass for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds.
 7. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the color identifier is impregnated into the bullet mass for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds.
 8. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the color identifier being incorporated into the casing for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds.
 9. A color coded ammunition system comprises: a plurality of ballistic rounds; each of the plurality of ballistic rounds comprising a bullet mass, a casing, a color identifier, and a numerical identifier; the bullet mass being terminally mounted into the casing for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; the color identifier being incorporated into the bullet mass for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; the numerical identifier being visually disposed about the casing for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; the numerical identifier corresponding to the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds being unique; and the numerical identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds being sequential.
 10. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the color identifier is coated onto the bullet mass for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds.
 11. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the color identifier is impregnated into the bullet mass for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds.
 12. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 9 comprises: the color identifier being incorporated into the casing for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds.
 13. A color coded ammunition system comprises: a plurality of ballistic rounds; each of the plurality of ballistic rounds comprising a bullet mass, a casing, a color identifier, and a numerical identifier; the bullet mass being terminally mounted into the casing for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; the color identifier being incorporated into the bullet mass for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; the numerical identifier being visually disposed about the casing for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; the numerical identifier corresponding to the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds; and the numerical identifier including a batch identifier and a color-match identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds.
 14. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is identical.
 15. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the color identifier for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds is unique.
 16. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the color identifier is coated onto the bullet mass for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds.
 17. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the color identifier is impregnated into the bullet mass for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds.
 18. The color coded ammunition system as claimed in claim 13 comprises: the color identifier being incorporated into the casing for each of the plurality of ballistic rounds. 